Chicago Bears: In this NFL, an average 'D' all it takes

Saturday

Dec 21, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Jay TaftThe Journal-Standard

I think we've all heard someone say something like this about the Chicago Bears: "Who cares if they get in the playoffs or not? With this defense, and all the injuries they've dealt with, they can't win in the postseason anyway."

If we haven't heard it, then maybe we've thought it. And at times this season, it's been hard to argue the other side.

But these days, if you've been paying close attention to what's going on around the NFL, it's becoming remarkably easier to find reasons why that just might not be true.

The players sense it as well.

"We say it all the time: In this league, it changes all the time, and one week that team is the best in the world, and the next it's somebody you never thought could be there," defensive tackle Stephen Paea said. "Why can't it be us, if we keep this up? It's a crazy league, and a lot can happen."

A lot already has. While offenses have taken over - 1,703 points were scored over the past two weeks, the most ever in a two-week span in NFL history - parity has crept in again. Don't forget that 22 of the first 32 games this season were decided by a touchdown or less, the most in league history, and lately, even the top teams have toppled off their pedestal.

Just last week, Denver, New Orleans and New England all suffered surprising late-season defeats, and all three have been in the top six of the NFL's power rankings since the onset. And sure, the Seattle Seahawks have just two losses and appear to be the cream of the league's 2013 crop. But six of their eight road games have been battles, so if you take the Seahawks out of Seattle, they are beatable just like any other team in the league.

"That's the kind of thing that keeps you going every week," defensive lineman Corey Wootton said. "Just get hot, get in, and get on a roll."

That holds true for any team in the hunt right now.

Denver and Kansas City have been the talk of the AFC, but the Chiefs have lost three of their last five, and Denver just got knocked down a notch by a 7-7 San Diego team on the national stage last week.

Three of the worst records in the NFL belong to teams that won division championships last year - Houston, Washington and Atlanta. And last year's worst team, the 2-14 Chiefs, are 11-3, and despite their late slide, they are still one of the elite right now.

So the next time I hear someone say: "Who cares; why does it matter anyway?" I will fire off with: "I beg to differ. In today's NFL, a dangerous offense and an average defense - with both getting hot at the right time - could lead to the formula for success."

Chicago's offense is clicking at an astounding rate. The Bears are on pace to set eight franchise records, including total yards (5,507), points scored (406) and passing touchdowns (29). And that's whether it's Jay Cutler or Josh McCown at quarterback.

And with the offense soaring, all the defense needs to do is rise to mediocrity.

Chicago is last against the run, allowing 152.4 yards a game, which would be a single-season worst for the Bears if this trend continues. And they are 27th overall, with a secondary that lost Pro Bowler Charles Tillman for the season and three starting defensive lineman for most of the year.

Still, here they are, in the hunt for the NFC North title, and their best defensive player is scheduled to return from an eight-week layoff due to a shoulder injury.

The team was in the middle of the pack while allowing just over 100 yards a game on the ground eight weeks ago when linebacker Lance Briggs broke his collarbone.

Of course this weekend they face the league's No. 1 rushing attack in the Eagles. But with Briggs manning the middle, this could be an average-to-solid defense once again.

In today's NFL - and with this year's Bears' offense - that could be all it takes.